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April 30, 2008
Rock/Creek's New Brand Identity Receives First Place in AIGA Design Competition
Memphis, TN- April 2008: Rock/Creek and Widgets & Stone announce victory at the 2008 American Institute of Graphic Arts TEN Show.
Coming out on top with a Gold Medal, Widgets & Stone won the Brand Identity category with Rock/Creek. Under Design Director Paul Rustand, designers Matt Greenwell, Brad Dicharry, and Joseph Shipp of Widgets & Stone came up with the current “Rock/Creek” brand that has proven to be successful. Caleb Ludwick served as Strategist/Writer on the project, Mark McKnight contributed photography, and Steve West contributed to production.
The American Institute of Graphic Arts, or AIGA, is the nationally-recognized professional association for design. AIGA describes itself as "the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research and advance education and ethical practice. AIGA sets the national agenda for the role of design in its economic, social, political, cultural and creative contexts."
AIGA Tennessee for the past three years has held a competition for all AIGA members in the state called the TEN Show. This friendly competition allows designers and creators to come together to exchange ideas and show off their work. All entries in the TEN Show must follow strict guidelines including: describing the client, the challenge presented to them, the solution to the challenge, and the results of the project, all in 500 words or less.
Among the many AIGA members, Widgets & Stone, a Chattanoooga-based design firm, entered their branding work for Rock/Creek as one of this year’s projects. The two companies have been working diligently for over two years to launch a comprehensive re-branding campaign that has positioned Rock/Creek's brick-and-mortar stores as well as its e-commerce Web site for future growth within the outdoor retail industry. The challenge presented to Widgets & Stone was to develop a brand that conveys Rock/Creek's status as a company with over 20 years of brick and mortar experience, a company that has inspired customers to take adventures both on and off the trail. Rock/Creek focuses on getting its customers into the outdoors safely and comfortably. Widgets & Stone emphasized Rock/Creek not only as a retail company that sells apparel and equipment, but also as a company that focuses on the human experiences that surround these products.
Mark McKnight, Marketing Director at Rock/Creek, praises the project: “All of the feedback we’ve had on the identity has been positive. The reaction within our vendor community has been the biggest source of validation for me personally— we have been told by several vendors that there simply are no other specialty retailers doing anything like this.”
Paul Rustand expresses his satisfaction with the project as well: “For Widgets & Stone the Rock/Creek brand development project was wonderful on many levels. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to work with the great individuals who lead such an established and successful local business. The scope of the project —- to redesign everything from the logo to the signage to the advertising to the packaging -— is what every design studio seeks. In addition to their forward-thinking approach to the brand identity, Rock/Creek had an impeccable grasp of their target demographics, which proved invaluable to the design process. And last -— but certainly not least -— the mutual respect that we experienced throughout the course of the project between client and designer was fantastic.”
For more about AIGA's TEN Show, visit http://tenshow.org/
Photos of the Rock/Creek entry are available courtesy the Memphis AIGA chapter:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13545114@N06/2378081267/in/set-72157604333176314/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13545114@N06/2378919490/in/set-72157604333176314/
About Rock/Creek:
Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association. Upcoming events include the Scenic City Trail Marathon & Half Marathon, to take place on Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga, TN. For more information, visit: http://www.rockcreek.com/trailmarathon/
For more information about Rock/Creek, visit http://rockcreek.com/
About Widgets & Stone:
Widgets & Stone is committed to using design to serve the needs of clients - while exploring the many ways the design process can inspire individuals and enlighten communities. As a full service studio, Widgets & Stone sees a project from conception to production. For over 12 years the firm has created a wide variety of design work: logos/trademarks, brand development, company materials, web sites, print promotions, books and packaging.
For more information about Widgets & Stone visit http://widgetsandstone.com/
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 1:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 28, 2008
Rock/Creek Runners Win Sweetwater 50k & Half Marathon
The Rock/Creek Race Team kicked some butt this weekend in Georgia. Check out this race report from Matt Sims, the team captain and a great trail runner who won the Half Marathon this weekend:
The Sweetwater 50K (southeast regional championship) and the Sweetwater Half Marathon, both won by Team members.
http://www.sweeth20races.com/
In short,
62 runners started the 50K.
153 runners started the Half Marathon
This the second annual Sweetwater 50K and the RRCA has named this 50k the Southeast Regional Championship Race.
The race was well done and consists of some pretty technical trails in Sweetwater State Park, just west of Downtown Atlanta.
Myself, Natalie, Kathy Johns, and Sheridan Ames drove down to Lithia Springs, GA early Saturday morning. Met at the Rock/Creek parking lot at 4:45am and got to the race at 6:35am. Both the 50k and the Half Marathon started together and then split off to their repsective distances at about mile 12.
There were over 150 runners in the Half Marathon so I decided I should get away early so that I could get on the trail and not be hampered by slower runners. Myself and one other guy took off from the starting line and ran the first mile on the road together. As soon as we joined the trail, I was able to get away from him on some technical turns and steep rocky downhills and never saw anyone again until mile 12.5. I thought I pretty much had this one in the bag until I heard the leaves rustling behind me with a younger runner bearing down on me in the last half mile. Miraculously, I was able to hold him off and crossed the line with 15 or so seconds to spare.
Matt Sims 1:38:16
Natalie felt the effects of being sick earlier in the week and within 20 minutes of the run, felt her hair stand up on her skin and was having cold chills. Not a great sign when the starting temperature was 67 degrees.
She bailed out at mile 13.
Kathy Johns finished as 6th woman overall. She was the 30 finisher of the 50k with a time of 6:41.
AND THE BIG NEWS...
Sheridan Ames finished 1st place in 5:01:44. Sheridan said the course was brutal. The humidity and the 80 degree temps made the day pretty hard mentally and physically.
-Matt Sims
Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 25, 2008
Buy One Get One TREE with Chaco Footwear
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 22, 2008
Go Green This Earth Day
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Photo c. Ty Milford, courtesy Chaco. Rock/Creek doesn't recommend getting in a washing machine to get clean & green!
Posted by Mark McKnight at 5:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Patagonia Wins Rock/Creek Environmental Stewardship Award
In honor of Earth Day, Rock/Creek Outfitters Honors Patagonia with Environmental Stewardship Award.
Chattanooga, TN, April 22, 2008 — Rock/Creek announces Patagonia, of Ventura California, the 2008 recipient of the 2nd Annual Rock/Creek Environmental Stewardship Award.
For those of us who do not know much about this environmentally-conscious company, it all started with one man, Yvon Chouinard. In order to reduce impact on the big walls that he and his friends were climbing, Yvon started to forge pitons in his parent’s garage. During his years in Yosemite, Chouinard pioneered a new method of climbing. Word soon got out that “clean” climbing was the way of the future, and the company that would later become Patagonia soon took off. The company traces its roots to low impact equipment and clothing and they continue to come up with revolutionary methods that not only have influenced the clothing industry, but also have inspired corporations and businesses to do their part to reduce their impact on the environment.
Patagonia’s enthusiasm for environmental concerns and its pledge to protect undomesticated land and water are among the many reasons Patagonia is this year’s recipient. Patagonia, along with Chaco, has sponsored many of Rock/Creek’s environmental initiatives including the Lula Lake Land Trust. The money that has gone to the trust helps in their mission to create a network of conservation properties that will ensure protection and enhancement of local water quality along the Rock Creek watershed on Lookout Mountain.
Adelaide D. Bratcher, Head of Development at Lula Lake expresses, "We've enjoyed working with Patagonia through Rock/Creek because of the dedication shown by these two businesses to our organization. Without their help, the processes of trail building and making the property more accessible to the public would be at a standstill. We, at Lula Lake, cannot thank Patagonia and Rock/Creek enough."
Patagonia also created a nonprofit organization called 1% for the Planet. Businesses who join the organization pledge 1% of their sales (not profit, but actual sales- regardless of whether they report a profit or not) to environmental organizations that are approved by 1% for the Planet. This means that every piece of clothing sold, part of the purchase goes directly back to environmental issues.
One of their newest initiatives is called the Common Threads Recycling Program. This program allows customers to recycle their old worn out polyester fleece or Capilene performance base layers back to Patagonia, who in turn sends them to a factory in Teijin China. There they have worked closely with the fabric makers and are able to convert the unusable garments into virgin fibers and eventually new clothing. The program continues to expand. Not only can you donate retired Capilene but also Polartec fleece, (from any company), Patagonia organic cotton tee shirts, and nylon 6 products with the Common Threads tag. Recycling these fibers saves 76% of the energy and 71% of the CO2 emissions that would have been produced from virgin materials.
Patagonia’s ongoing dedication to environmental issues and to improving access to outdoor recreation areas compelled Rock/Creek to give the second annual Environmental Stewardship Award to Patagonia. “Environmental issues have always been at the heart of Rock/Creek,” explained Rock/Creek co-owner, Marvin Webb. “Patagonia has really stepped up to the plate over the years, helping us fund large projects so we have an even stronger impact within our region. They have not only supported us in our own programs, but they have also actively come to us with new ideas for local and global initiatives.”
Matt Sims, Sales Representative for Patagonia, stated, “The partnership between Rock/Creek and Patagonia is the perfect example of two companies sharing the same vision of environmental awareness and coming together to not only to improve the community, but also to educate the public on environmental stewardship.” " We have donated about $15,000 to environmental efforts Rock/Creek has taken on since 2005." Mr. Sims continues, “We are thrilled to accept this award, and are excited to continue to support Rock/Creek with regional environmental labors they diligently take on.”
Rock/Creek congratulates Patagonia for setting high standards of environmental stewardship within the outdoor industry. “As the need to preserve the environment becomes clearer, we hope to see more companies raising the bar and proactively educating their consumers,” said Webb. “Part of our mission at Rock/Creek is to teach our customers about Leave No Trace practices in the backcountry. Really, Leave No Trace should apply to the way we all live and work day to day, and to the way companies in our industry do business.”
For more information on sustainable materials, low-impact gear, and Rock/Creek's environmental initiatives, visit http://www.rockcreek.com/earth-day/
About Rock/Creek:
Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.
About Patagonia:
”Our definition of quality includes a mandate for building products and working with processes that cause the least harm to the environment. We evaluate raw materials, invest in innovative technologies, rigorously police our waste and use a portion of our sales to support groups working to make a real difference. We acknowledge that the wild world we love best is disappearing. That is why those of us who work here share a strong commitment to protecting undomesticated lands and waters. We believe in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.” –Patagonia Mission Statement
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 1:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 17, 2008
Chris Sharma's Optimus Prime Climbing Video from Evolv
As I mentioned in my last post, we're excited about the new Evolv Optimus Prime climbing shoe designed by Chris Sharma. We also have this awesome video that Evolv put together for the launch. Check it out:
Reserve a pair of the new Evolv Optimus Prime climbing shoes at Rock/Creek >
-Michelle Smith
Posted by Mark McKnight at 1:59 PM | TrackBack
Evolv Optimus Prime Climbing Shoe Exclusive Launch
We are super psyched to announce that Rock/Creek just started the intial launch of Evolv’s new Optimus Prime climbing shoe starting today. This shoe will be available exclusively at Rock/Creek starting May 1st. The Optimus Prime is a wide, low volume cambered shoe that has tons of rubber all over the body so you can place your foot in holes, heel hook, toe hook with more precision than other shoes and are super comfy as well.
A hook and loop closure keeps the shoe secure on your foot, with a toe that is a bit downturned, but not as aggressive as most shoes out there, making this a little more versatile than other bouldering/sport climbing shoes.
These shoes are part of Chris Sharma’s signature series, which to me is a huge bonus when thinking about the fact that Chris has climbed on so many different types and styles of rock throughout the world, so any shoe he has a part in designing is going to be well built, and an all around great shoe.
We can’t wait to see these shoes come in – which from what we understand will be coming into our stores the first week of May. Anyone who orders these shoes from Rock/Creek will have them before anyone else in the boulder field or crag.
Evolv is now joining the ranks of the “green” by using Trax rubber on their shoes that will be composed of 25% recycled rubber. All evolv shoes are now “vegan friendly”! Evolv must be a cool climbing shoe company because they now have the recruits of Lisa Rands, Chris Sharma and Chris Lindner on their sponsored climber list.
-Michelle Smith
Pre-order the Evolv Optimus Prime Climbing Shoe today at Rock/Creek >
See all Evolv climbing shoes at Rock/Creek >
Posted by Mark McKnight at 9:41 AM | TrackBack
April 14, 2008
Earth Day Celebration Saturday April 19th
Earth-Friendly Food, Fun and Festivities at Two North Shore Saturday April 19th
Contact:
Krista Steere
krista.steere@csassociates.net
423.821.2121
Chattanooga, TN (April, 2008) - Two North Shore and Greenlife Grocery invite the public to an Earth Day festival at 301 Manufacturers Road on Chattanooga's North Shore. The festival will take place Saturday April 19, 2008 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. There will be an awards ceremony at 1:00 pm and Jeff Cannon of green|spaces will open the ceremony with a quick talk on green building.
This free day of celebration will contain an afternoon of local acoustic music, activities for the young and not so young, a dog training demo from Roddy Reynolds of RODDYDOGS, and much more. Rock/Creek will speak to their environmental stewardship efforts as well as feature environmentally friendly clothing options. Stop by and learn about annually renewable merino wool, organic cotton and the many recycled items Rock/Creek offers. At 3:00 pm, Rock/Creek will host a Leave No Trace community clinic teaching low impact caving, backpacking, and climbing techniques.
The Tennessee Aquarium will be present with live animals. They will be celebrating the Year of the Frog and educating kids and adults alike on the challenges frogs currently face across the world. They will also have information about the new IMAX film, "Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk," brought to Chattanooga locally by Greenlife Grocery and Rock/Creek. The Chattanooga Nature Center will also be present with a live animal.
Continue reading "Earth Day Celebration Saturday April 19th"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:53 PM | TrackBack
April 9, 2008
Introducing SmartWool PhD Socks
We're happy to introduce a new sock technology from SmartWool that will revolutionize their already revolutionary product line. If you haven't tried wool socks, you're missing out. But if you have tried wool, and you're already sold on the performance gains that come from wool, then get ready for the next step. SmartWool has completely re-engineered their already popular running sock line and this year have introduced PhD, the smartest of their smart socks. Here Rock/Creek marketing support staffer Ryan Ivey writes about the new technology:
Don’t be mistaken, SmartWool PhD socks are not your everyday athletic sock. These cleverly engineered socks are designed to bring performance socks to a higher level. By offering a skin tight, four degree fit system, called the SmartFit system II, the PhD will give you the support you need, whether you are running or biking the trails. The SmartFit system II delivers a secure fit above and below the heel, arch, and across the instep with a four-point banded compression system. This system also integrates high impact zones along the heel and metatarsal area for added protection against shock and wear.
Keeping your foot dry can make or break your day. For this reason, SmartWool builds their socks with a balance of the finest merino wool, spandex and nylon. The combinations of these materials work to balance your foot temperature by absorbing and evaporating moisture keeping your foot drier longer. Oh, and as an added bonus, since moisture cannot build up neither can bacteria, keeping odor down to a minimum.
I am not the biggest runner out there, but I do huck the trails on my bike and I’ll be honest with you, this sock is bombproof. I kid- you- not the SmartFit system II feels like second skin. I have always hated wearing socks while playing outdoors, and now I am a changed man. With the double ribbed cuff I never worry about dirt getting in, and my feet are never sweaty. So next time you pound the dirt, or the road, try out a pair of SmartWool PhD’s.
Shop for SmartWool PhD running socks at Rock/Creek >
Shop for Trail Running Shoes at Rock/Creek >
Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:38 PM | TrackBack
April 8, 2008
Fresh Spring Gear, Shoes, Clothing + Chaco Gift w/ Purchase
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:35 AM | TrackBack
April 7, 2008
$1500 Raised at Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race
Chattanooga, TN - (April 3, 2008) – Rock/Creek today presented the Cumberland Trail Conference with a check for $1500. The Chattanooga-based outdoor retailer raised the money at last weekend's Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race. Now in its seventh year, the race was well attended as about 300 athletes showed up despite torrential rains before the race. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to building and maintaining over 300 miles of trails on the Cumberland Plateau.
Anthony Hook, General Manager of the Cumberland Trail Conference, shares his gratitude: "This race hosted by Rock/Creek helps support the Cumberland Trail Conference and demonstrates the various recreational pursuits that the Cumberland Trail offers. Races such as the Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race provide the challenge that trail runners seek and increases awareness of the Cumberland Trail. This money will be used to support our trail building and maintenance programs in Hamilton and Rhea counties. The CTC appreciates Rock/Creek's continuous support and generosity."
Appropriately, the race takes place on the Cumberland Trail, in Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. The two distance options, 10.2 mile and 6.5 mile, both used parts of the challenging Mullens Cove Loop. Prentice Cooper is located in Marion County, on top of Suck Creek Mountain, overlooking the Tennessee River Gorge.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain greeted about 300 athletes on Saturday morning, making this one of the largest and certainly the wettest turnouts in the history of the race. "Having a successful turnout like this, despite the rain, made for a fantastic start to the spring trail running season," states race director, Jamie Sanders. "We are excited to see how continued growth of this sport encourages people to come out, rain or shine, every year."
Covered in mud and soaked in rain and sweat, several of these trail runners battled for the finish, making for a winning time almost a minute faster than last year's time. Joseph Goetz finished first with a 1:13:58 in the 10.2 mile. Rock /Creek Race Team member Stephen Taylor from Nashville ran a great race, finishing just behind Joseph in 1:14:39. Several Chattanooga-based Rock/Creek team members fared well: Geno Phillips finished fourth, Matt Sims came in seventh, while Randy Whorton finished 16th. Rock/Creek employee Clay Warner finished fourth with a time of 1:17:43.
In the women's division, Jan Gautier finished first with a time of 1:28:02, placing 18th overall. Heather Stone of Chattanooga finished 2nd; Michelle Meek of Knoxville, TN took third. Chattanooga native Natalie Sims of Team Rock/Creek ran hard and placed fifth in the women's division.
In the 6.5 miler, Zach McElrath of Phoenix, AZ took the podium with a time of 50:25, beating last year's winning time of 51:31. Tom Sell of Chattanooga came in second in the men's category and Cody Carlson from Rock Face, GA came in third, with a time of 51:26. In the women's division, Mary Mingedorff-Lee finished in 1:03:58, taking first. Cathi Cannon, a Chattanooga native and new member of the Rock/Creek Race Team, came in second, while Angela Pewitt, from Birmingham, AL, finished third with a time of 1:09:56.
Rock/Creek co-owner and president, Dawson Wheeler, from Signal Mountain, TN, expresses his gratitude to the sponsors and volunteers: "Without serious financial and time commitments from our sponsors and volunteers, we never could have raised this much money or had such a successful race." Mr. Wheeler also highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship: "Rock/Creek believes in the work of the Cumberland Trail Conference. By supporting what they do, we hope to encourage others to do their part as well. The future of the activities we love depends on protecting our natural resources through the volunteer work we do now as well as our financial commitments to conservation organizations."
SmartWool, Mountain Hardwear, and Patagonia were major sponsors of the event. The North Face, Salomon, Hammer Nutrition, Greenlife Grocery, Larabar, TrailRunner, and The Gear Junkie also sponsored. The Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race was the first in the Rock/Creek Trail Series, a new year-long points series with 9 race dates and 13 distance options. The series benefits trail building and maintenance efforts through The Wilderness Trail Running Association (The Boonies). For more information on the series, visit http://www.rockcreek.com/trailseries/ and for more information on The Boonies visit http://www.runintheboonies.org. The Cumberland Trail Conference can be found at http://www.cumberlandtrail.org.
The next race in the Rock/Creek Trail Series will be the Scenic City Marathon & Half Marathon, presented by Vasque, May 24th, 2008. Registration is currently open: http://www.rockcreek.com/trailmarathon/
Videos & Photography Available online:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockcreek/2387669404/in/set-72157604361477847/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockcreek/sets/72157604361477847/
http://rockcreekblog.com/archives/video_photos_from_race_last_weekend.html
About Rock/Creek:
Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:27 PM | TrackBack
April 4, 2008
More Photos from the River Gorge Trail Race
We have a few more photos from this past weekend's Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race. Come check them out- there are still more to come when I get a chance, hopefully this weekend.
Don't forget about our next race, the Scenic City Trail Marathon & Half Marathon, coming up on May 24th. The Marathon will set the bench for a state record in trail running. The trails at Raccoon will be fast and forgiving making for a great leisurely race for new trail runners or a full-on speed fest for those in the hunt for the first state record for a trail race. Check out the Scenic City Trail Marathon Web page.
These races are part of the larger Rock/Creek Trail Series, benefiting the Wilderness Trail Running Association (The Boonies).
Posted by Mark McKnight at 9:51 AM | TrackBack
April 1, 2008
Video + Photos from Race Last Weekend
The 2008 Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race was a great success, despite torrential rains in the morning before the event. The rain slacked off a bit by the time we started the race, but the course was muddy and the footing unstable all day long. This of course made it a lot of fun for the 260+ trail runners who finished the race.
Check out the photographs from Wilderness Adventure Photography here >
There are also photos from Jon Moss and three videos that he shot at the race:
Thanks to all our sponsors and the volunteers who made this such a great event. We'll have a full race recap this week and will announce the donation for the Cumberland Trail Conference at that time.
For full results and information as it becomes available, visit the race Web site:
http://www.rockcreek.com/rivergorge/
Posted by Mark McKnight at 5:17 PM | TrackBack
